ZCZC
BSP-24
CRICKET-CW-RR-SHANAKA
Shanaka powers Cumilla to 105-run win against Rangpur in BBPL
DHAKA, Dec 11, 2019 (BSS) – Captain Dasun Shanaka’s whirlwind 31 ball-75 not out was well complemented by his bowlers as Cumilla Warriors made a winning start to Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), securing a 105-run win over Rangpur Rangers at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here today.
Shanaka who struck three fours and nine towering sixes in his sublime knock helped the side recover from a shaky 89-6 to amass a respectable 173-7. His bowler, led by Al-Amin Hossain then tore apart Rangpur batsmen to dismiss them for just 68 runs in 14 overs.
Al-Amin Hossain claimed 3-14 while Soumya Sarkar and Sunjamul Islam bagged two wickets apiece to give the side a big victory in their opening game.
Cumill won the toss and elected to bat first but Rangpur captain Mohammad Nabi forced them to make a horrendous start by removing opener Yasir Ali in the first ball. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Soumya Sarkar seemed to recover the early jolt by adding 41-run after which off-spinner Sanjit Saha and pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman jointly triggered the collapse to leave Cumilla at 89-6 in 14th over.
As Cumilla headed towards a low score, Shanaka suddenly changed the momentum with his attacking approach.
As he was at his ruthless best, Cumilla amassed 51 runs in the last two overs, with Shanaka himself making 46 runs at this point. Seven of his nine sixes came at this juncture as he struck Mustafizur four sixes and Junaid Khan three sixes.
Mustafizur who conceded just six runs in his first two overs to claim two wickets, finished with 4-0-37-2 eventually. The Fizz, as he is adorably called, conceded 25 runs in his last over when Shanaka made him ordinary bowler.
Rangpur’s power-packed batting line up however was no match for Cumilla bowlers, who bowled with nagging line and length.
Afghanistan off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman firstly made the breakthrough by taking out compatriot Mohammad Shahzad after which Soumya Sarkar and Al-Amin Hossain dismantled the middle order with sensational swing bowling show.
Mohammad Naim was the highest scorer for Rangpur with 17 while Shahzad scored 13.
BSS/SMP/MRU/2210hrs